Hittin' the road

Down at PETCO Park gearing up for tonight. Watched Penny throw a simulated game and he was pretty impressive. Not sure when he’ll be activated, but he’s darn close.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Jason Schmidt, who is going to undergo another cleanup procedure in his right shoulder on Wednesday. He should be throwing in six week or so, but hopefully this will put him on track for ’09. He just hasn’t been able to get over the 90 percent hump when he’s been out on the mound this year in minor league rehab stints.

Not much else to share, but I have noticed that the comments on each post seem to go way down when we’re playing well. I guess that’s a little odd, but when there’s less to complain about, there’s less to talk about. Human nature, I suppose.

Hope you are all enjoying this nice little run. Let’s keep it going…without lineups!

Good evening all.
From the looks of the 1st MNF game, it looks like there will be some happy cheese heads tonight.
I hope Maddux is in fine form tonight, and keeps this hot streak going against his former team.
GO DODGERS!!!

I’m silent mainly because I have schoolwork to catch up on, as well as my NFL game about to start on ESPN (though baseball is always first to me, tonight’s opening night, and OAK-DEN is always a close one).

One thing’s for certain, though. ESPN will be muted and CC-ed while I’m listening to Vin on the computer.

good evening. It’s game time. Let’s GO Dodgers!!!
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I am looking forward to this game.I hope the momentum will carry us further.
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Josh- good news about BP. I do miss him. We need the BP of last year, the 2.0 era. Schmiddy- so sad. I hope this surgery helps easy any pain he has. But I think that we post a lot less cause I just feel that with summer ending everyone is super busy. Our real lives are taking over our Dodger posting lives.
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Let’s go Russy- lead it off!

Tru He’s done well. I don’t think they’re at the point of “Bret Who” quite yet. After all, it is the Vikings. After what the Bears did to the Colts, and the Lions debacle against the Falcons, It appears the Bears will be NFC north favorites this year.

jj ~ the Bears really looked impressive yesterday. With, aaron, now that he’s got his first victory, he should relax and do fine. The Chargers didn’t look very good yesterday and neither did the Seahawks.

After watching the Packers-Vikings game (Go Pack!!!) plus the 3 or 4 times it takes to get signed on with my preferred nickname, I wish you all a good evening. We’re looking a little lifeless here. We need to be road warriors this week and we’ve got a good draw in the schedule. GO BLUE!!!

JJ, I have the Dodgers on the computer speakers and the Raiders on TV muted, so why is it that while I’m watching the Raiders, I could swear I could hear Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker in “Major League”) calling the football game?

ns It’s getting to the point where I’ll be looking for the Whiskey bottle the way the Raiders look so far. Cutler is such a cocky punk, it makes me sick. Someone on the defense needs to light his *** up!

I missed up until the 5th inning, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Maddux has been unimpressive once again, even in PETCO where he has been good this season. I think it’s time to let Stultz have a start. Maddux has had a great career and I think he would make an excellent pitching coach, but he looks at the end of the road to me. I think Stultz would give the team a better opportunity to win and we don’t have enough games left to keep waiting for Maddux to have a solid outing. I agree Max, I don’t understand how we make these pitchers with crappy era’s look like Cy Young winners. I hope they can come back and wiin this game. It would be a shame to waste an opportunity to gain another game if the Giants hold their lead on the D-Backs.

Pathetic! This is when we need a manager who has a pulse. These guys look flat and look like they are completely over looking the Padres. Someone needs to chew them a new A-hole. Absolutely pathetic. Our single A team would be playing better then these guys. Embarrassing, I can’t watch this crap anymore.

He’s up to .297 now, DNelly. What’s been so great about his streak is that he’s been using the entire field. Tonight his single was to right, his first double to left and his second double to center. Keeping the defense guessing. Awesome. I really hope this is just one loss and back to winning. We need to take control of the race. I hope Stultz gets Maddux’s next start. He just doesn’t have it anymore.

“On the road again
Just can’t wait to suck on the road again
The life that stinks is losin’ road games with my friends
And I can’t wait to suck on the road again
On the road again
Goin’ places where we never win
Losin’ games that we will never play again,
And I can’t wait to suck on the road again.”

Predictable malaise. But gosh, how this team needs a ram rod like Gibson. There’s no bunker mentality away from home. No doubt this division will go down to the final day.

The Dodgers have to go home and pick up their bats and while they’re at it change into that blue BP uniform with the word Dodgers written in white across the chest.
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It’s amazing how this team can transform itself the minute it leaves L.A.
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Well this isn’t N.Y or Philly so they should do better.
Meanwhile it’s the top of the 9th in SF, still 6-0.

Do you guys realize there are currently 8 teams that are NOT in first place in their respective divisions that would be in first in the NL West. This includes two teams currently 4th in their divisions, the Yankees and Astros, that would be better than any other team in the NL West. Even if we make the playoffs, its hard to be happy about this team and it’s $125+ million payroll. Not to mention the performance of our GM.

I agree PierreEW – where Dodger Blue, not dull grey – a much better choice, and they need to drive back up to LA and get the bats that hit the ball, except for Andre – he can stay and rest since he brought the right bat – lol 🙂

I only saw from the 5th inning on, so I missed his first hit. Glad to hear the Giants won, but we missed another opportunity to pick up a game. We need to take the rest of the games in this series. We haven’t played the Rockies very well of late, so it would be nice to go into that series on an up note.

Go Andre…national league player of the week. At least the Giants won so we stay #1. I wish the Blue could play better on the road!! Dnelly…I hope you like the pix. Those are from my very private collection from shots I took myself. More to come!!

bluecrewgirl ~ I agree with you ….we need to win the rest of this series. I know we won’t win every game, but we have to win a series. Out of the 4 hits tonight, Andre had 3 of them. Poor Russ, he didn’t even hit the ball hard. But, there is always tomorrow.

Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
You’ve been out ridin’ fences,
for so long – now.
Ohh you’re a hard one.
I know that you’ve got your reasons.
These things that are pleasin’you
Can hurt you somehow.

Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds boy
She’ll beat you if she’s able.
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.
Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table.
But you only want the ones
That you can’t get.

Desperado,
Ohhhh you aint getting no younger.
Your pain and your hunger,
They’re driving you home.
And freedom, ohh freedom.
Well that’s just some people talking.
Your prison is walking through this world all alone.

Don’t your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine.
It’s hard to tell the night time from the day.
And you’re losing all your highs and lows
aint it funny how the feeling goes
away…

Desperado,
Why don’t you come to your senses?
come down from your fences, open the gate.
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you.
You better let somebody love you.
(let sombody love you)
You better let somebody love you…ohhh..hooo
before it’s too..oooo.. late.

nsblues ~ There is nothing wrong with playing the Eagles anytime – one of the best bands of all time. Put up those songs anytime you please, especially when it fits 🙂 The song is stuck in my head now 🙂

nsblues – especially Hotel California – LOL!! Well, I think I can get any of them stuck in my head though. Just right now, I have switched from “Desparado” to “One of These Nights” 🙂
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bluecrewgirl – probably the same reason they had of not finding out about Andruw’s knee – they never checked.

bluecrewgirl, the biggest joke is that Colletti and Conte worked with Schmidt in SanFran, and neither sent up any red flags about his health. You’d think that Schmidt’s trainer in SF (Conte) would have known something!

nsblues – The beginning of “7 Bridges Road” is one of those I get stcuk in my head most often after “Hotel California”. There are many others too. I had a college friend who played Eagles all day, everyday. I liked them, but grew to love them after listening to them so much. I like all of them as individual singer/songwriters as well – I love Joe Walsh’s music best out of the individual things they have done.

I used to post “FIRE STAN CONTE” at the end of every post a few months ago… maybe I should take that habit back up.

Dnelly, what sold me on The 40 Year Old Virgin was hearing Joe Walsh’s “Land of Illusion” open the movie, and the cover of the Fifth Dimension’s “Age of Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” at the end(of course, the band includes Dodger fans Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.).

Nedsterado
The Eagles …
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Nedsterado, why don’t you come to your senses?
You’ve been out signing veterans
For too long now
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Oh, you’re a dumb one
What could be your reasons?
The PVLs pleasing you
Can hurt you somehow
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Don’t you sign another oldster
He’ll hurt you if he’s able
You know that Logan’s system
Is always your best bet
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Now it seems to me some fine kids
Have been laid upon your roster
But you only want any retread you can get
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Nedsterado, you ain’t gettin’ no smarter
Your brain and your blunders
They’re driving me crazy
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And winning, oh winning, well that’s just other GMs talkin’
Your prison is walking through this world with JoJo
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Don’t your feet get cold about game time?
The vets can’t play and the studs ride pine
Is it hard to understand OBP?
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You’re losing all your credibility
While asting youthful ability
It ain’t funny how I feel every day
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Nedsterado, why don’t you come to your senses?
Or Frank will send you packing
Back to Golden Gate
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You’ve got some ‘splainin to do
But there’s a rainbow right in front of you
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You better let these youngsters save you …
You better let these youngsters save you …
You better let these youngsters save you …
Before it’s too late

Good Evening Ward Dear…. The time frame on that song is quite the coincidence, don’t you think? LOL!!! Thanks for going back into the archives once again 🙂 Nothing like a stroll down memory lane….
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nsblues – I hear ya!!! LOL!! Sometimes it is all about the soundtrack 🙂

Hi Eric, yeah, forgot about that golden oldie, but it is timely to this day. Just like the Eagles, but I don’t think they’re old enough to be considered “Golden” just yet (although they’re one of the only bands to be certified Diamond).

Does anyone think that Schmidt and Conte worked out a deal. Conte new Schmidt was probably toast and Schmidt told him he’d give him 20% of his contract if he gave him a clean bill of health??? I’m just sayin!!! LOL

Ward Dear…. yes, we know it’s been like this all year, and you would never hear me say any team is easy for the Dodgers to beat – We thought that of the Nats and look what happened. San Diego roughed up the dbacks pretty good at PETCO too, so I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but the Dodgers never make it easy on their fans, do they?
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dcollins – it is sooo good to see that name on here – long time no read from you. All things are possible when the gnat organization is involved, and we pretty much can say that about the Dodgers organization as well sometimes.

Funny you mention them NSB. I just got a new bookshelf & display case from IKEA and have spent the evening putting them together. I have some autographed baseballs & mini-helmets from them. I used to treasure them and loved looking at them. While they are still nice to have it just isn’t like it should of been.
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I guess maybe we should be getting Dnelly’s & other teachers autographs!
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I like getting autographs although that has been tempered these last few years with work, getting married, a house,…
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Speaking of that I got my tickets for the 20-21st games against the Giants in LA!! I’m phsyched! We leave the 19th and drive to LA. 2 days downtown and then continue to Laguna Beach for a few more.
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Does anyone know of any autograph signings that are happening down there in September?
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Tough game tonight but sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way. Someone metioned that Torre should be raising hell instead of just sitting there like a bump on a log.
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I disagree. They’ve been playing well. There isn’t a need to go Pinella right now. That wouldn’t get these guys going. I think that would turn them off. The play when Kemp walked and Blake hit a liner down first that became a double play is one of those plays that when your losing are caught and when your winning aren’t. We’ve been winning, so we’ve been used to winning but the ball didn’t go our way tonight. Maybe a little let down after this last weekend.
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I’m sure they will talk about it in the clubhouse not to let down.

dcollins – not that I am glad they lost, but it’s better it happens now than later. Like trublue said, we aren’t going to win all 19 so if we just work on taking a series at a time, the Dodgers should be good.

Thanks Nelly. I haven’t been able to make it on. Between my lame computer and working alot I’ve just been able to read on my phone at night as I’m going to sleep.
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By the way I’m pretty sure I know who Oberon is but I’ve missed how we got to that name?
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How about our Every Day Dre!!! He is really coming into his own. I couldn’t be happier for him. He seems like he is a quality dude and I’m glad to able to see this happen to him.

dcollins – as far as the name, you need to thank Eric. It came because of another issue which was named Uranus. After Uranus was named, then it was just a matter of labeling all such things like Uranus the many moons around Uranus – Oberon and Titania are two off the top of my head that have been named. However, I don’t tink Titania has been out in quite some time. Oberon is shining bright enough for all of them right now. However, Uranus did make a brief appearance yesterday during the game. Well, I hope that didn’t confuse you too much 🙂

Eric ~ It sounds great!!! Also ~ I was ordering my next set of stadium posters, along with posters for our new academy opening up, and I ran across a poster that has the history of baseball all on one poster. So, I figure I can use that as a guide to build upon. I am planning to work on the timeline during my winter break so it will be ready to use in the 2nd half of the year when the students will be able to read and enjoy it more. Right now the ball park a week thing is going very well. The only thing is all they keep thinking about is the pool at Chase Field so every time I bring out a new stadium, they ask if it has a pool. That and the fact that Andre hit a homerun in that pool is just awesome to them. Whatever works I guess… 🙂

That was well played, June Darlin’! Accurate, but not with too much light so that Oberon itself might come to consciousness. Oberon itself does not reflect too much light, thankfully. It is so far from the sun that it cannot be seen well unless one was to travel to it. That should not be attempted, as then a person might be exposed to too much methane gas expelling from the surface of Uranus itself. That could lead to a loss of consciousness and leave you adrift in space, a billion miles from our home.

Ward Dear ~ note taking wasn’t my strength in school. I know Oberon and Uranus for sure, but I am not sure about the others. There were so many at one point I think I lost track… 🙂 The one you did the acrostic for was which moon….. or was that Uranus – see, now I am all messed up!!! LMAO!!!!!

You know, I think I’m getting confused myself. Somewhere along the line Titania merged with Oberon. Titania seems to have spun off and lost its identity. I think the Rats have to get together and come to a consensus. Perhaps tomorrow as I’m setting myself. 🙂

Good night dcollins. I hope you’re not totally confused. Perhaps an email if you’re willing.

Ward Dear…. I know you are probably headed for bed, but I think we just confused this entire board, what do you think? I am confused, and I am part of this madness. And to think Josh wanted us to write more comments. Well, I guess, Josh, even with an occasional loss for the Dodgers, there’s not much to complain about so we manage to entertain ourselves with talk of the celestial bodies in our universe. And if it’s not that, like trublue said, it becomes movie night or a song writing night or a stroll down memory lane where we bring back some of the old songs done during the season. Good night again… 🙂

All right, let’s leave that road apple lay right where we put it yesterday, step around it and get on with the task of winning this stupid division. I’m tired of going into the tank immeadiately after some impressive wins. No one wins ’em all, but let’s stop this losing streak at one, take the series from this pathetic excuse of a baseball team and continue on. Let’s hope someone stands up in the locker room today and fires us up a little!

Good Morning ITD writers and readers!!!!
Let’s hope they went back to Los Angeles and actually got the bats that can hit, except for Andre, of course. Andre, we hope you got some much deserved rest, seeing how you were the only one out on the bases last night. Anyhow, if we win the series, it will be all good again. Oh, and as I am walking into work this morning, who do I see but Mr. Giant fan himself, our custodian, and he gave that very well known grin, with that grin saying “I know you want to thank the Giants for winning last night”. All I said was “Tim pitched a great game last night”, and went on my way with a smile. Have a great morning, everyone, and I will check in when the opportunity arises.
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dnelly, June Darlin’, Junie, Miss Debbie, mom, Mrs. Nelson, nelle, nells, nelly, nellygirl ~ ETHIERaholic, and very proud of Andre and his .515 OBP, .513 average for the last 10 games, .667 for the current month and .381 for the last 30 days. ETHIERiffic Andre Ethier!!!!!!!!

Good morning Tru, Dnel, Eric.
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Going off of what Eric said- TJ article was great. He’s always good for a good morning laugh.
my favorites:
“I WILL undergo the same surgical procedure on my knee, and the same knee as Kent next week. We’ll see who returns to work first.”
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and
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t’s also probably a given the Dodgers will lose every game the rest of the way Greg Maddux pitches, although he finally did make the Padres winners.
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hilarious 🙂
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Let’s get back on our feet and crush the Pad’s the rest of the month!!
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GO Dodgers!!!

crash ~ I don’t think it will be a jinx……he’s so comfortable at the plate right now. Let’s hope the good at bats come to Russell, James & Matt! Manny had an off day yesterday but I know he’ll be great tonight….doesn’t usually have two bad games in a row.

Haha Jungar, When i look at this roster It’s incredible how could it would have been 5 years ago isn’t it. Seriously 5 years ago an outfield with Manny and Andruw Jones would have be the best in baseball regardless of who was the 3rd outfielder.

Also, I think I want to apologize about the game yesterday. I lost it for us. I washed my Either shirt after Sundays game and with all the dirt and grim went the luck. Im going to wear it tonight but If we lose its a lost cause. I didn’t wash it yesterday hopefully that helps!

as for schmidt, can you imagine we’re paying his medical bills for all these surgeries, the therapy, the rehab, etc…. (which probably have cost frank well over a million) and all we will get out of our $36M investment is one year. the sad thing is that he will probably go back to the giants after ’09 at a discount and proceed to beat the dodgers five or six times over the next few years. what a colossal waste. this signing alone should warrant ned’s dismissal. he even hired conte before signing schmidt. didn’t anyone know what was wrong? we ought to fire conte too. isn’t he supposed to help prevent all these injuries we’ve been having?

I am proud to say that I never gave up on this team from Spring Training to the dark days of the 8-game losing streak.
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Based on a few recent conversations at Dodger Stadium, some people still seem ignorant of the fact that had JoJo managed this team right from the beginning (as opposed to taking four months to figure out that Andre Ethier is better than Juan Pierre) we could easily be running away with this division instead of barely leading it.
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Saw something funny on the stadium scoreboard. They gave a phone number to call in case somebody was — and I quote here — “hindering your enjoyment”. That is a pretty low standard, and I considered calling because there was a really tall guy in front of me who was partially blocking my view at moments and thus “hindering my enjoyment.” I think leekfink and I have just found a new cheer. Not sure how we’ll decide to use it. Could be used for instance if an opposition batter gets a relatively harmless hit. Example: “Brian Giles is hindering my enjoyment!”

kho88 – I’m not counting on him for 2009. That means we got six pathetic starts for Frank’s $36M – that’s $6M per pathetic start. Okay, okay, I stand corrected – two decent starts – a win on April 4, 2007 when he gave up one run in five innings and a no decision on June 5, 2007 at Petco where he gave up one hit and no runs in six innings. That’s $36M per win.

lny4loney ~ LOL I saw that number too when we were there…..I felt like calling and telling them that Joe was hindering my enjoyment…..was playing Pierre at the time and leaving Andre on the bench……and as kho88 said, if Ethier had been playing all along, we would have been way out in front of the division.

Max, maybe you could go to your local diamond and slide around in the grass and dirt a little. That may help help to restore your Ethier shirt to its former glory.
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Ethieraholics, I once again owe you guys an apology — not for my words but my thoughts. I have continued to underestimate Andre Ethier. First I thought he was merely a decent major leaguer. Then I thought he was good enough to be an acceptable everyday player on a championship club. Then I thought he was a good starter. Only in the last month have I realized that Ethier belongs in the same class with guys like Loney and Martin — a star who will shine for years. I haven’t yet put him in the same class as the potentially all-time great Matt Kemp. But if history is any guide, I’m probably underestimating him again.

lny4loney ~ I don’t even know why Sweeney is with the team! If Juan, would have got on, do you think he still would have used Sweeney? I appreciate your comments about Andre. I think he will be a star without a “bighead”. We got to meet him at a signing when we were in L.A. and he was such a sweet guy………very humble.

lny4loney/mlk ~ you never have to apologize for anything. I always value your opinions and thoughts. I, however, have always thought Andre would be something big someday just from all that I have read about him,and I have read lots. He has always been determined to prove people wrong about him, and Andre really did that this season having to not only prove it to himself, but to Joe, which I thought would never happen.
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Max – I can’t believe you washed the shirt! – tsk,tsk,tsk 🙂
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dnelly, June Darlin’, Junie, Miss Debbie, mom, Mrs. Nelson, Nelle, Nells, Nelly, Nellygirl ~ ETHIERaholics – every single one of us 🙂

After the article there’s injury updates including this:
“Conte said that he expected Schmidt to be ready for the start of spring training next year, which will be the last season of his three-year, $47-million deal.”
REACTION: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…………..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Hey Rose ~ Cute story today in the classroom. I changed my desktop picture from a picture of Andre batting to a picture of him just standing with his ball cap on versus his batting helmet. Well, my computer screen is connected to the tv, and the tv is on during class the entire time for a timer that I use that is connecting to my computer. Anyhow, I took the timer off, and up pops the picture of Andre. The little girl asked if that was Andre and I said “of course”, and she said, “Man, Andre is handsome!” She kept talking about it for the rest of the day. It was so cute, and the good thing is she knows some baseball too – her parents are Braves fans. Also, ever since he hit that home run into the pool at Chase Field, if we have time at the end of the day to show a highlight, they ask for that one. They think that is the greatest and coolest thing.
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dnelly ~ ETHIERAHOLIC!!!

That is a cute story. And yes agree with your student ETHIER is very handsome. I have to see that hightlight of him hitting the HR in the pool. What day was that?
Thanks for sharing that story…she is an ETHIERaholic in training..LOL!
Rose – Ethieraholic!

Hey all! The past has passed, and the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades!

Eric, that TJ article was a @#$%@# Hoot!!!!!!!!!! He singlehandedly cheered me up after reading that. If anyone doesn’t get his Super Chargers reference, have a listen to, in my opinion, the most spaced-out fight song in human history:

Let’s get this winning culture back in full swing, there’s no Division Championship banners at the Ravine!!! Take no prisoners, don’t shoot ’til you see the whites of their eyes, full speed ahead! RAMMING SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!!!!!!

Shake that stigma, have them passed out and seeing stars like George Foreman after getting KO’ed by Ali.

Waaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiitttt… Jones?!!!!!! So Torre’s content to have a guy who wrote off the season, and broadcasted as much, starting in CF with us only 1 1/2 up in 1st place in a park that turns us into crap?!!!!!

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